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1. Existence of a National Strategy on social inclusion

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority

4. Revisions/ Updates

Existence of a National Strategy on social inclusion

In Türkiye, the social inclusion of young people is addressed through a combination of:

1. the National Youth and Sports Policy Document, which includes a dedicated policy area entitled “Disadvantaged Young People and Social Inclusion”; and
2. Cross-sector strategies and action plans that target specific groups or thematic areas (e.g., Roma citizens, women’s empowerment, migration and social cohesion), and which also include measures relevant to young people.

The National Youth and Sports Policy Document provides the overarching youth-policy reference framework and is complemented by targeted strategies that focus on specific groups and policy domains.

• National Youth and Sports Policy Document (official document): 
• Roma Strategy Document & Action Plan (2023–2030 / 2023–2025) 
• ROMSID project (monitoring/evaluation capacity and coordination for the Roma strategy)

Scope and contents

This section summarises the main policy frameworks relevant to the social inclusion of young people.

National Youth and Sports Policy Document – “Disadvantaged Young People and Social Inclusion” policy area sets out a broad framework of objectives and targets to address social exclusion risks among young people. The content covers, among others, the following thematic areas:

• Disability and inclusion: preventing social exclusion of young people with disabilities; awareness-raising; accessibility and supportive services; strengthening participation through education, culture and sport.
• Young people in conflict with the law: research on drivers of criminal behaviour; early identification of high-risk situations; psycho-social support; rehabilitation and reintegration; continuity in education after release.
• Young people living/working on the streets: prevention and support measures; access to education; family awareness; protective measures and social inclusion services.
• Addiction prevention and recovery: strengthening prevention; increasing accessibility of treatment/rehabilitation and psycho-social services; post-treatment recovery and follow-up; awareness raising including via youth services.
• Awareness and participation: raising awareness on disadvantaged groups and strengthening cooperation between young people and policy makers in the formation of social inclusion policies.
• Migration-related inclusion needs: psycho-social support, access to education and services, and support measures to facilitate inclusion for those facing adaptation challenges.
• Preventing abuse and supporting young women: prevention, protection and psycho-social support; actions to strengthen the inclusion of young women across education, health and participation in public life.

Official document: National Youth and Sports Policy Document

Strategy Document for Roma Citizens (2023–2030) and Phase I Action Plan (2023–2025)

A key targeted framework related to social inclusion is the Strategy Document for Roma Citizens (2023–2030) and its Phase I Action Plan (2023–2025). These documents aim to improve living conditions and equal participation of Roma citizens through coordinated measures across areas such as education, employment, health, housing, and social assistance/social services. Measures also include elements relevant to children and young people (e.g., support for participation in sports and cultural activities, and actions linked to education and inclusion).

Women’s Empowerment Strategy Document & Action Plan (2018–2023)

The Women’s Empowerment Strategy Document and Action Plan (2018–2023) aimed to strengthen women’s participation in economic and social life and to promote equal access to rights, opportunities and services. It is structured around policy axes such as education, economy, health, participation in decision-making mechanisms, and media, while also considering cross-cutting issues (e.g., disability and cooperation with universities). These policy lines are relevant to the social inclusion of young women and to youth-focused inclusion efforts where applicable.

Strategic Plan of the Presidency of Migration Management (2017–2021) – social cohesion / harmonisation

In the migration field, social cohesion (harmonisation) policies focus on facilitating mutual understanding and interaction between migrants and host communities. Actions may include information and orientation activities, skills development to support independent participation in social life, cooperation with local administrations and civil society, and measures that promote social interaction without forcing migrants to renounce their cultural identities.
The Presidency of Migration Management issued a strategic plan for 2017–2021, which included goals related to institutional capacity and social cohesion approaches. 

Responsible authority

• The authority responsible for implementing and monitoring the National Youth and Sports Policy Document is the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
• The authority responsible for monitoring the 12th Development Plan (2024-2028) is Department of Strategy and Budget of the Presidency.
• Targeted cross-sector strategies and action plans are led by their respective competent authorities (e.g., Roma strategy-related processes by the relevant lead institutions; women’s empowerment strategy by the relevant units within the Ministry of Family and Social Services).

Revisions/Updates

Article 18 of the Decree Law No 638 on Organisation and Duties of the Ministry of Youth and Sports includes the provision; “National Youth and Sports Policy Document is drawn up by the Ministry and submitted for the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers with the purpose of ensuring coordination and cooperation among the public organisations and institutions which carry out the policies and activities affecting the young people directly or indirectly. National Youth and Sports Policy Document is reviewed and revised in every four years at the latest. When revising the National Youth and Sports Policy Document, suggestions of the related public organisations and institutions, sports federations and nongovernmental organisations are taken into consideration”. In accordance with this provision, policy document is updated in every four years at the latest. With the adoption of Presidential System in Türkiye, 1 number Presidential decree prescribed the foundation of Ministry of Youth and Sports in legal terms with the same tasks and responsibilities.

Development Plans are drawn up in every 5 years